2070 – 11 – Superalloys

1m

Typically, the more demanding the application, the more complex an alloy has to be. Advances in modern technology led to the creation of superalloys, which can be very expensive. They are used in jet engines, steam turbines, and pieces of nuclear reactors. Many superalloys have superior strength, corrosion resistance, and creep resistance at temperatures of two thousand degrees Fahrenheit.

Superalloys walk the line between ferrous and non-ferrous metals. They are categorized by the dominant metal in the mixture, but this can often be less than half of a superalloy’s total composition. Most superalloys have iron, nickel, or cobalt, often with additional three or more metals in the mix.

These alloys are typically not needed unless an operation has a very specialized, highly technical purpose. They do indicate the value of including alloying elements to get properties you want out of your metal.